scholarly journals Exploring the importance of diversified physical activities in early childhood for later motor competence and physical activity level: a seven-year longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina S. Melby ◽  
Peter Elsborg ◽  
Glen Nielsen ◽  
Rodrigo A. Lima ◽  
Peter Bentsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research indicates that childhood motor competence (MC) can predict physical activity (PA) levels later in life and it has been argued that frequently engaging in a wide diversity of physical activities will eventually improve children’s MC. However, no longitudinal or experimental studies have confirmed this theoretical rationale. The aims of this study are to explore the longitudinal associations between diversified physical activities at age six and later MC and PA (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA) (age nine and 13). Furthermore, we explore to what extent the longitudinal association between diversified physical activity and PA is mediated by MC. Methods Longitudinal data from the Copenhagen School Intervention Study were used for this analysis, where 704 participated (69% response rate). Diversified physical activity (self-reported), MC (The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder battery of postural stability and locomotor skills) and PA (accelerometer) were assessed in the children at age six, age nine and age 13. A total of 654 participated in at least two of the measures and, therefore, were included in the analysis. Two structural equation models were constructed, with diversified physical activity at age six and MC and PA at age nine as predictors of PA and MC at age 13. Results The data from both models demonstrated good model fit. Diversified physical activity at 6 years of age was significantly associated with physical activity and MC at age 13, when adjusting for sex, age, intervention, weight, height, and previous levels of PA and MC. Diversified physical activity at age six was also positively associated with PA and MC at age nine, which were, in turn, positively related to PA at age 13 but to a lesser degree than diversified PA at age six. The association between diversified physical activity at age six and PA at age 13 was not mediated by MC at age nine. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that diversified physical activity at age six is important for the development of MC and PA in adolescence. Increasing the diversity of children’s daily physical activities, not only the amount and intensity, seems important for future PA behavior and thereby health promotion in a life course perspective.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina S. Melby ◽  
Peter Elsborg ◽  
Glen Nielsen ◽  
Rodrigo A. Lima ◽  
Peter Bentsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Research indicates that childhood fundamental movement skills (FMS) can predict physical activity (PA) later in life and it has been argued that frequently engaging in a wide diversity of physical activities will eventually improve children’s FMS. However, no longitudinal or experimental studies have confirmed this hypothesis. The aims of this study are to investigate the longitudinal associations between diversified physical activities at age six and later FMS and PA (age nine and 13). Furthermore, we explore to what extent the longitudinal association between diversified physical activity and PA is mediated by FMS.Methods: Longitudinal data from the Copenhagen School Intervention Studywere used for this analysis, where 704 participated (69% response rate). Diversified physical activity (self-reported), FMS (The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder battery of postural stability and locomotor skills) and PA (accelerometer) were assessed in the children at age six, age nine and age 13. A total of 991 participated in at least one of the measure years. Two structural equation models were constructed, with diversified physical activity at age six and FMS and PA at age nine as predictors of PA and FMS at age 13. Results: The data from both models demonstrated good model fit. Diversified physical activity at six years of age was significantly associated with physical activity and FMS at age 13, when adjusting for sex, age, intervention, weight, height, and previous levels of PA and FMS. Diversified physical activity at age six was also positively associated with PA and FMS at age nine, which were, in turn, positively related to PA at age 13 but to a lesser degree than diversified PA at age six. The association between diversified physical activity at age six and PA at age 13 was not mediated by FMS at age nine. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that diversified physical activity at age six is important for the development of FMS and PA in adolescence. Increasing the diversity of children’s daily physical activities, not only the amount and intensity, seems important for future PA behavior and thereby health promotion in a life course perspective.


2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (7) ◽  
pp. 1117-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonghoon Park ◽  
Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata ◽  
Shigeho Tanaka ◽  
Yuki Hikihara ◽  
Kazunori Ohkawara ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the indices of body size such as BMI, fat-free mass index (FFMI, FFM/height2), fat mass index (FMI, FM/height2), and body fat percentage (%BF), and physical activities assessed by the doubly-labelled water (DLW) method and an accelerometer in free-living Japanese adult women. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 100 female subjects ranging in age from 31 to 69 years. Subjects were classified in quartiles of BMI, FFMI, FMI and %BF. Daily walking steps and the duration of light to vigorous physical activity were simultaneously assessed by an accelerometer for the same period as the DLW experiment. Only physical activity-related energy expenditure (PAEE)/FFM and PAEE/body weight (BW) decreased in the highest quartile of BMI. Physical activity level, PAEE/FFM and PAEE/BW decreased in the highest quartile of FMI and %BF, whereas they were not different among quartiles of FFMI. Daily walking steps and the duration of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activities decreased or tended to decrease in the highest quartile of FMI and %BF, but did not differ among quartiles of FFMI and BMI. These results clearly showed that Japanese adult women with higher fat deposition obviously had a low level of physical activities assessed by both the DLW method and accelerometry, but those with larger BMI had lower PAEE/FFM and PAEE/BW only. Our data suggest that the relationship between obesity and daily physical activities should be discussed using not only BMI but also FMI or %BF.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Dan Gaiţă ◽  
Mihaela Oraviţan ◽  
Claudiu Avram

Abstract Among the factors acting as a burden to health, physical inactivity ranks fourth as a risk factor for all-cause mortality and sixth among the risk factor for loss of disability in adjusted life years. Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are key risk factors for the major noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. It were investigated a sample of 1106 Romanian subjects, aged 18 and over. 53% of the questioned population is informed regarding the benefits of daily physical activities, but only 35% of Romanians declare that they find it easy to apply what they know about maintaining health. Their main sources of information are: television (56%) and Internet (17%). 49% perform appropriate physical activity; walking (51%) and household activities (32%) are the main physical activities performed by Romanians, while sports are performed by few of those interviewed (running – 12%, fitness – 7%, cycling – 6%, football – 6%, gymnastics – 4%, while all the other did not score over 2%). Half of respondents practice physical activities rarely or not at all, and the main reasons for the sedentary behaviour are the lack of time (42%), lack of money (16%) or convenience (15%). Nearly half of Romanians are sedentary. Although the level of information regarding the benefits of physical activities is satisfactory, the degree of putting this information into practice is very small; the population is not sufficiently aware of the necessity to perform physical activities, in spite of the fact that the effects of a sedentary lifestyle are evident.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Ma ◽  
Liwang Gao ◽  
Joseph Tak-Fai Lau ◽  
Rahman Atif ◽  
Blair T. Johnson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND This study primarily aimed to evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes, and potential modifiers (age, gender, and educational attainment) of such associations. OBJECTIVE The COVID -19 pandemic has led to elevated levels of mental distress attributed to prolonged lockdowns, business closures, and social isolation. Its impact on behavioral outcomes is however less known. This study is designed to primarily evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in drinking, smoking, physical activity and body weight, and potential modifiers of such associations including age, gender, and educational attainment. METHODS An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China during April-May, 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire distributed through social media. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses. RESULTS About 13% of adults reported experiencing at least one symptom of mental distress. After adjusting for age, education, gender, ethnicity, marital status, residence, and number of chronic conditions, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking and alcohol consumption (among current smokers and drinkers) and with both increased and decreased physical activity. Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg) whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight by the same amount. The association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged 40 and above and those with high education. Mental distress was significantly associated with an increase in smoking in males but not females. CONCLUSIONS Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males but not females. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Raina Jansen Cutrim Propp Lima ◽  
Rosângela Fernandes Lucena Batista ◽  
Cecília Claudia Costa Ribeiro ◽  
Vanda Maria Ferreira Simões

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of early determinants on adolescent fat-free mass. METHODS: A c ohort s tudy w ith 5 79 a dolescents e valuated a t b irth a nd a dolescence i n a birth cohort in São Luís, Maranhão. In the proposed model, estimated by structural equation modeling, socioeconomic status (SES) at birth, maternal age, pregestational body mass index (BMI), gestational smoking, gestational weight gain, type of delivery, gestational age, sex of the newborn, length and weight at birth, adolescent socioeconomic status, “neither study/nor work” generation, adolescent physical activity level and alcohol consumption were tested as early determinants of adolescent fat-free mass (FFM). RESULTS: A higher pregestational BMI resulted in higher FFM in adolescence (Standardized Coefficient, SC = 0.152; p < 0.001). Being female implied a lower FFM in adolescence (SC = -0.633; p < 0.001). The negative effect of gender on FFM was direct (SC = -0.523; p < 0.001), but there was an indirect negative effect via physical activity level (SC = -0.085; p < 0.001). Women were less active (p < 0.001). An increase of 0.5 kg (1 Standard Deviation, SD) in birth weight led to a gain of 0.25 kg/m2 (0.106 SD) in adolescent FFM index (p = 0.034). Not studying or working had a negative effect on the adolescent’s FFM (SC = -0.106; p = 0.015). Elevation of 1 SD in the adolescent’s physical activity level represented an increase of 0.5 kg/m2 (0.207 SD) in FFM index (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The early determinants with the greatest effects on adolescent FFM are gender, adolescent physical activity level, pregestational BMI, birth weight and belonging to the “neither-nor” generation.


Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 58-62
Author(s):  
Maja Batez ◽  
Branko Krsmanović ◽  
Milena Mikalački ◽  
Nebojša Čokorilo ◽  
Marijana Simić ◽  
...  

The overall orientation of the research problem is focused on the physical activity level of the participants from the aspect of different intensities of motor engagement and their impact on morphological characteristics and motor skills with an intention of determining whether there are statistically significant differences between groups. In a sample of 103 students, aged between 18 and 20 years (18.9 ± 0.4), the female students were divided into three subsamples according to the level of physical activity: highly active, active and inactive. The study which was conducted had a transversal character. The data obtained in the survey were analysed using the univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (MANOVA) statistical methods. The motor skills mere monitored by the use of the Eurofit Test Battery (wide-angle seated forward bend, standing long jump, pull-up endurance, 10 x 5m shuttle run and endurance shuttle run- beep test). The following morphological characteristics were considered: height, weight, body mass index, percentage of muscular mass and fat mass, as well as waist circumference. The obtained results indicate the existence of statistically significant differences between the % body muscle mass´ groups (p < 0.05) and motor skills parameters (sit and reach, p<0.01; standing broad jump, bent arm hang, 10x5m shuttlerun, beep test, p<0.001) of participants according to physical activity level. In conclusion, participants with a high level of physical activities have higher average values than the participants with light level of physical activities when considering the variables for assessing pliability, strength and agility.Resumen. La orientación general del problema de investigación se centra en el nivel de actividad física de las participantes desde el aspecto de diferentes intensidades de compromiso motor y su impacto en las características morfológicas y habilidades motrices con la intención de determinar si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. En una muestra de 103 alumnas, con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 20 años (18,9 ± 0,4), las estudiantes fueron divididas en tres grupos de acuerdo con el nivel de actividad física de cada uno: muy activas, activas e inactivas. El estudio llevado a cabo tuvo un carácter transversal. Los datos obtenidos mediante cuestionarios fueron analizados utilizando un análisis de la varianza (ANOVA) y un análisis multivariante de la varianza (MANOVA). Las habilidades fueron controladas mediante la batería Eurofit y para las características morfológicas, se midió la altura, peso, índice de masa corporal, porcentaje de masa muscular, masa grasa y la circunferencia de la cintura. Los resultados obtenidos indican la existencia de diferencias entre los grupos estudiados respecto al % de masa muscular (p <0.05) y las habilidades motrices (flexibilidad-inclinación hacia adelante, p<0.01; salto de longitud a pie, fuerza resistencia mediante flexión de brazos, 10 x 5 m carrera de ida y vuelta y Beep Test, p<0.001) de los participantes según el nivel de actividad física. En conclusión, las participantes con alto nivel de actividad física tienen mayores valores de habilidad motriz que las participantes que el resto en función de las variables flexibilidad, capacidad aeróbica, fuerza y agilidad.


2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1055-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junpei Shinji ◽  
Setsuo Nohara ◽  
Nobuyuki Yagi ◽  
Marcy Wilder

AbstractCrustacean aquaculture is a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide that continues to show significant growth. Shrimp farming has been intensified for decades, and super-intensive closed culture systems have now been developed to improve productivity and reduce environmental burdens. Here, we used bio-economic approaches to investigate the mechanisms and economic productivity of shrimp farming. We used three steps: (1) path analysis by using structural equation models to determine the candidate factors associated with productivity; (2) modeling of population dynamics and profits; and (3) simulations based on the models to clarify the productive characteristics of a super-intensive closed culture system. Our findings suggest that the population dynamics of the system were limited by unidentified factors that differed from those found in many experimental studies, such as water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrogenous waste. The unidentified factors were related to the number of days of rearing and cumulative biomass mortality. The production plan suggested by our simulation required frequent culture rotation to increase profits. Our case study provides important practical information about the characteristics of super-intensive shrimp farming, implications for efficient economic management, and new research subjects for the future.


Author(s):  
Laura O. Gallardo ◽  
Alberto Abarca-Sos ◽  
Alberto Moreno Doña

The purpose of the study is to comparatively test the expectancy-value model in Chilean and Spanish samples. The model proposes: a social world (composed of social support, physical activity teasing, and weight teasing), expectancy (composed of perceived competence and appearance), task values (composed of enjoyment and stress) to predict physical activity and intention to be physically active. Participants were 497 (Chilean) and 1365 (Spanish) adolescents. Structural equation models and multi-group modelling were used. All the models presented adequate fit to the data. The results show that physical activity teasing is a contextual and essential variable; perceived competence and enjoyment influenced physical activity and intentions to be physically active; some differences appeared in the prediction of physical activity and intentions to be physically active when the multi-group model was run. Culturally tailored interventions are key to improving physical activity (PA) behaviors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 999-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M Kenzik ◽  
Wendy Demark-Wahnefried ◽  
Patricia A Ganz ◽  
Graham Colditz ◽  
Cheryl L Rock ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer survivors rank fatigue (e.g., decreased vitality) as their number one concern affecting quality of life. Excess adiposity is associated with decreased vitality in breast cancer survivors, yet weight loss intervention trials report inconsistent effects on this parameter.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of the Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good Health for You trial, in which 692 overweight or obese breast cancer survivors ≤5 years from diagnosis, initiated weight loss interventions, and completed assessments semi-annually for 2 years. Assessments included the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and the SF-36 MOS vitality subscale as an inverse measure of fatigue. Multilevel structural equation models estimated the direct effects of physical activity on vitality and indirect effects through body mass index (BMI) changes.ResultsWithin-person findings show that at assessments with greater physical activity, BMI was significantly lower (B = −0.07, p &lt; 0.001) and vitality was higher (B = 0.22, p &lt; 0.001). However, there was no direct relationship between lower BMI and higher vitality (B = −0.11, p = 0.262) after controlling for the relationship of physical activity with BMI and physical activity with vitality. The between-person indirect effect of physical activity change through BMI change to vitality was significant (B = 0.03, p &lt; 0.001). Participants whose physical activity was above the mean (B = 0.37, p &lt; 0.001) and whose BMI was below the mean (B = −1.05, p &lt; 0.001) were more likely to report greater vitality.ConclusionImprovements in vitality are primarily associated with increases in physical activity rather than BMI changes in this trial. Vitality was lower among survivors with higher BMI, although within-individual changes in BMI had no effect on vitality. Physical activity and weight loss share mechanistic links to vitality with physical activity potentially increasing (e.g., in an additive or synergistic manner) the effect of BMI reduction on vitality.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Parama Metta Dhyana

Normally every person in this world will experience puberty. Puberty is a phase in life when a child experience physical and hormonal changes that turns them into adult who capable to reproduce. In women, one sign of puberty is menstruation. Menstruation can be dramatic for some women because of it’s pain called dysmenorrhea. Despite having a mentruation pain, a women still need to continue their daily physical activities such as walking, driving, working, studying, eating, etc. The objective of this study was to analyze the types of daily physical activity that would affect the intensity of menstruaion pain.


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